Spring is typically the season when we reach for salads and lighter fare, but on some days, nothing beats something warm and satisfying, which is why cheese toasties hold such a special place in my heart. They’re the ultimate quick meal when time is short, usually taking fewer than 10 minutes to prepare, yet achieving the perfect toastie can actually be surprisingly tricky.
It’s a common problem: the outside of the bread begins browning and charring before the cheese inside has fully melted, often leaving you with a burnt result. The exterior of a toastie often cooks unevenly because most people use butter, which contains milk solids that simply can’t handle high temperatures.
View 5 ImagesCheese toasties can turn out burned or soggy if you cook them with butter(Image: Katherine McPhillips)
Having made cheese toasties my entire life and after considerable experimentation, I’ve found it’s far better to ditch butter altogether; they taste infinitely superior when made with mayonnaise instead.
It might seem a strange choice at first, given that mayonnaise is an ingredient most commonly associated with cold sandwiches, but it is actually one of the finest ways to toast bread.
Mayonnaise is made with oils that have a higher smoke point than butter, meaning it can handle greater heat without burning or turning smoky.
View 5 ImagesMake sure not to use too many sauces otherwise it can make a toastie soggy(Image: Katherine McPhillips)
It ensures the bread cooks evenly so the cheese melts simultaneously, while helping the toastie achieve a superior golden colour, producing a mouth-watering crust with minimal effort.
Any mayonnaise will do the trick with this method, but I’m particularly fond of using Campfire Mayo, which Marks and Spencer launched recently as part of their summer range.
Mayonnaise is used to make toasties because it enhances the texture, but I picked up Campfire Mayo several weeks ago to see whether it would amplify the flavour, too.
Having tested it, it adds a smoky, savoury depth to the bread, which complements the richness of the cheese beautifully.
It’s genuinely transformed the way I make sandwiches, so I’d thoroughly recommend it if you’re keen to make your toasties even more delicious.
View 5 ImagesSimply spread a little mayo on the outside of the bread and it will help toast it better(Image: Katherine McPhillips)
- Two slices of bread
- 150g of grated cheese
- One tablespoon of mayonnaise
- Any other toppings you wish
Cheese tends to release moisture as it melts, so exercise caution when adding watery ingredients such as sauces, tomatoes, lettuce, or pickles.
Ensure you pat any vegetables dry with kitchen paper before adding them to the sandwich, and try not to go overboard with the sauces; otherwise, you’ll end up with a soggy toastie.
To start, place the frying pan over medium heat and let it warm up slightly for a minute.
Assemble your toastie by layering the grated cheese and any additional toppings onto the bread, then gently press the sandwich together.
View 5 ImagesMayo helps cook the bread(Image: Katherine McPhillips)
Carefully spread a thin layer of mayo on the outside of both bread slices and then place them in the pan.
Allow the toastie to cook for roughly three to five minutes on each side, and use a spatula to lightly press down on it to help achieve a crispy finish on the bread.
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Once the bread turns golden brown and the cheese has completely melted, remove it from the pan and leave it to rest for about a minute before slicing into the toastie.
Allowing the toastie to sit after cooking helps the cheese firm up slightly so it won’t spill out of the sandwich when you cut through it.
When the time’s up, you’ll have a mouthwatering and perfectly crispy toastie with an irresistibly crunchy texture in every single bite.